The number of admitted patients who waited longer than 18 weeks in Southampton has increased by 70% under this Tory-led Government, and it still increasing now.

John Denham, Labour MP for Southampton Itchen, responded:

“In Southampton we have now seen waiting-times increase by 70% since David Cameron came to power. This is bad news, but the Tory-led Government’s plan to encourage local hospitals to treat more private patients will lead to more NHS patients being left to wait even longer.

“No one in Southampton voted for this. A week doesn’t go by without hearing the concerns of our doctors, nurses and patients who are rightly worried about David Cameron’s plans to damage the NHS.

“Despite no one wanting this new Health Bill, still David Cameron is ploughing on, ignoring public and professional opinion.”

The number of admitted patients who waited longer than 18 weeks

Primary Care Trust (PCT)

May 2010

November 2010

November 2011

% change May 2010 – November 2011

% change November 2010 – November 2011

Southampton PCT

73

109

124

70

14

This follows an investigation by the Labour Party held earlier in January which discovered that in Southampton GPs will be paid £250 to attend each session in their new roles as part of NHS commissioning boards. In addition, elected GP leaders will be paid £30,000 a year in their new roles.

The payments to GPs are just a small part of the nearly £16m set aside for the reckless and wasteful reorganisation of the NHS in Southampton.